Macro pads are widespread amongst streamers, and for good cause—mapping shortcuts to a single button press makes life simpler. The one of many best-known pads is the ever-popular Elgato Stream Deck, however its time because the reigning accent is likely to be over. Cooler Grasp simply unveiled its MasterHub system at Computex, and it takes the idea of a macro pad to a complete new stage.
Not like the Stream Deck, the MasterHub is modular—a working theme at Cooler Grasp’s sales space this 12 months. You snap totally different modules onto a base (i.e., the “hub”), creating your individual customized mixture and structure to fit your wants. Macro keys, bodily quantity sliders, management knobs, scrub bars, and contact display shows are simply a few of the choices. It gives loads of flexibility, sufficient in order that you could possibly swap modules primarily based on how your work modifications in the course of the day. Paul’s {Hardware} took the {hardware} for a spin, which you’ll be able to see under.
At launch, three MasterHub bundles will probably be obtainable—one for streamers, one for video editors, and one for photographers. Every has a distinct configuration, tailor-made for the standard wants of every form of creator. If you wish to regulate your setup, you should buy further modules from Cooler Grasp; the corporate says 9 varieties will probably be obtainable for particular person buy on its web site. Cooler Grasp additionally plans to ultimately provide a wide range of base sizes, which may assist remove the necessity for various kinds of management decks at your desk (Stream Deck, quantity controller, and many others). You possibly can have only one central system.
To tweak settings to your MasterHub, you’ll use Cooler Grasp’s upcoming MasterControl software program, which is able to arrive first in mid-July (Paul took at peek at it earlier than the hub within the video above). The MasterHub will observe in late November. Price has but to be introduced, however Cooler Grasp’s plans are bold for this new piece of equipment. Controlling your PC is simply the beginning—ultimately, that may increase to your room setting in 2024, then full good residence automation, in 2025. The ultimate price ticket may replicate these ambitions.
